Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT? WHERE?</h2>



You can&#8217;t get more back to nature than this &#8211; 350 acres of unspoilt idyllic Warwickshire countryside. Bliss, right? <a href="https://woottonparkwellness.co.uk">Wootton Park Wellness</a> is on a family farm is just six miles from of Stratford-upon-Avon and is within easy reach of Leamington Spa, Coventry, Studley, Birmingham and all major motorways. When I visit some people had travelled from as far as two hours away to take part in the 4 Elements retreat &#8211; was it worth the drive? A resounding yes.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-76-1000x667.jpg" alt="wootton park wellness" class="wp-image-57637" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-76-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-76-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-76-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-76.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



As well as hosting weddings and business conferences, the site is home to quirky off-grid <a href="http://www.woottonparkpods.co.uk">glamping pods</a>, including secluded&nbsp;tree pods with private hot tub &#8211; perfect for couples. If you&#8217;re on a family break or a couple looking for a longer stay and a bit more space check out the &#8216;super pod&#8217; &#8211; yes, it&#8217;s as cool as it sounds. The heated glamping pods are open all year and if you&#8217;re staying for an overnight retreat you&#8217;ll stop in the farmhouse.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



Wellness Retreats founder Melanie McCall runs the family business with husband Ian Roy. She’s a mother of five grown-up sons – and a glowing picture of health. When her boys were at school she trained and qualified as an exercise instructor, teaching step and aerobics. She&#8217;s since discovered mindfulness, meditation and yoga – at the end of 2019 she and Ian Roy went to an ashram in India, just outside Rishikesh for “life-changing” yoga and meditation 



She&#8217;s designed wellbeing retreats for guests to ‘Reflect, Reconnect and Recharge’, meet like-minded people and have some well-deserved me time. Come alone, with a friend, as a couple or in a group. The sessions are headed up by Mandy who runs them for 24-48 hours with the option of going along for the day. The Four Elements is a fairly new retreat to be held at Wootton Park, and is a day-long experience focusing, unsurprisingly, on the elements of fire, water, ice and air, which are also incorporated into four separate areas around the site. Mandy runs part of the sessions, with other specialists leading in different areas. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-71-1000x667.jpg" alt="wootton park wellness" class="wp-image-57632" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-71-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-71-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-71-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-71.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-itinerary">THE ITINERARY</h2>



Our Four Elements retreat started at 9.30am and ended at 4pm on a Sunday, and was held in the onsite yurt (which also hosted a wonderful previous Muddy Awards). It&#8217;s surrounded by wildflowers, overlooking acres of unspoilt landscape and with the Park&#8217;s resident horses, ponies and goats in the neighbouring field.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-77-1000x667.jpg" alt="goat wootton park wellness" class="wp-image-57638" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-77-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-77-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-77-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-77.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Me and Mr Muddy grabbed a cup of tea and sat on comfy beanbags outside with the rest of our class &#8211; a small, friendly cohort of seven with a mix of individuals, couples and friends. Some had booked for some relaxation, and others had been brought the session as a gift to enjoy some &#8216;me time&#8217;.



We started the day with a yoga session, led by Anthony &#8211; a former rugby player turned yoga master. There was a mix of beginners through to advanced level students and he did a great job of making sure everyone was catered for by making poses more difficult or easy. We worked our way up into a sequence which ended stretching to the sun &#8211; easy to do with the gorgeous skylight on top of the yurt beaming it down on us. It was the perfect way to start the day, with some gentle stretching and warming up. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-70-1000x667.jpg" alt="skylight wootton park wellness" class="wp-image-57631" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-70-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-70-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-70-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-70.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Next up we headed back outside and met Mandy for a mindful walk and forest bathing. No swimming costume needed or water involved, it&#8217;s based on the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, developed in the 1980s. Phones were left in the yurt (anyone else feel like a break from technology is a holiday in itself?) and we walked super slowly through the beautiful countryside to the forest. We were encouraged not to talk and just take in the views, sounds and smells within nature. I&#8217;m used to dashing along with my dog next to me and rushing to the next place, so slowing the pace right down was hard, but rewarding, and something I&#8217;m trying to incorporate more into daily life. 



We stopped at various points to look at the trees and the views &#8211; it all sounds a bit hippyish I know, but just roll with it and I guarantee you&#8217;ll enjoy it. It&#8217;s not very often we get chance to slow down in our modern lives so the 90 minutes we spent on our walk was pure bliss. Towards the end we lay down in some long grass for around 20 minutes and I actually fell asleep &#8211; a hard day at the office indeed. For the walk back we were invited to take our shoes off and pad back barefoot with the grass between our toes. I declined (this girl needed a pedi!) but most of our group did and loved the feel of the cool earth under their feet.



If my nap wasn&#8217;t proof enough, there are now loads of designated woodlands across the country as forest bathing sites. Doctors prescribe sessions to patients with high blood pressure, anxiety and depression.&nbsp;A two hour walk is believed to be more beneficial than an antidepressant, with the calming effect lasting up to 30 days. The Woodland Trust has also recommended it should be among a range of non-medical therapies and activities prescribed by GPs to boost patients’ wellbeing here in the UK.



We ate lunch in the farmhouse after a quick stop to say hi to the resident alpacas. Seated around a large table we tucked into a tasty Buddha Bowl and a mug of homemade pea and mint soup &#8211; with some of the ingredients picked from the land. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-73-1000x667.jpg" alt="farmhouse wootton park wellness" class="wp-image-57634" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-73-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-73-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-73-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-73.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Breath work specialist Adam led a session in the afternoon, focusing on inhaling and exhaling in time to music. For me it was probably the most beneficial part of the day, I found it really relaxing and have used the techniques several times since. I also fell asleep during the class, for the second time that day. If that isn&#8217;t a full on zen-vibe then I don&#8217;t know what is! 



Next up was the part I was most dreading, and to be honest I didn&#8217;t think I would do it. The ice bath. Now I won&#8217;t even go in a lukewarm shower or a swimming pool because it&#8217;s too cold &#8211; so a freezing cold bath overflowing with ice, not my jam! But, everyone else in the group was going for it, and our breath work instructor had laid out how we had to focus on our breath to last the 3-5 minutes, after which you will see a benefit in alertness and reduced inflammation. So, in the interest of a thorough review (you&#8217;re welcome), this wussy journo pulled on her cozzie and tentatively trotted over to the water. I got in and literally it took every ounce of my being not to jump straight out. I focused on my breath and not Mr Muddy taking the most unflattering pictures of me (no I&#8217;m not sharing them!) but after the three minutes was up and I&#8217;d clambered into a DryRobe I actually felt pretty proud of myself. I did also feel more alert, and super ready for the cup of tea and big slab of cake waiting for me. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-74-1000x667.jpg" alt="ice bath wootton park wellness" class="wp-image-57635" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-74-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-74-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-74-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-74.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



To end the session we gathered around the fire pit with our cups of tea and were asked to make notes on something which we wanted to let go of. We threw these on the flames and it was quite cathartic watching the paper curl up and burn, signifying the end to what doesn&#8217;t serve you. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-72-1000x667.jpg" alt="wootton park wellness" class="wp-image-57633" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-72-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-72-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-72-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-72.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



When you clock the itinerary you might think it’s all going to be a bit full-on; but there’s something about the way the retreat flows that makes it feel like quite the opposite. Yes, you cover a lot of ground, which is great because you get to try lots of new things, in bitesize chunks and soak up the expert&#8217;s extensive knowledge. But I also feel we spent a lot of time eating, lounging and nattering our way through the event. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



Now, the food deserves a special mention since it’s incredible! The team has fantastic chefs who puts together breakfasts, lunches, dinners and afternoon treats that are so much more than just tasty food on a plate.&nbsp;The food is home-made, locally sourced, organic and vegetarian, also catering for other dietary requirements. Highlights include the fore-mentioned Buddha Bowl &#8211; and and incredible homemade lemon and courgette cake.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-75-1000x667.jpg" alt="buddha bowl wootton park wellness" class="wp-image-57636" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-75-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-75-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-75-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-75.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when">WHEN?</h2>



Day and weekend retreats are held a couple of times a month and Four Elements retreats are slightly more infrequent, but book ahead as they all fill up fast. Check the <a href="https://woottonparkwellness.co.uk/bookings/">website</a> for the latest dates. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muddy-verdict">MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



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Good for: A wonderful peaceful and tranquil location to switch off. If you’re at a career crossroads, your kids are flying the nest, or you’re just feeling a bit meh and unfulfilled, you’ll get heaps from this retreat. It&#8217;s also a great choice for corporate teams and bespoke retreats for companies &#8211; so get on at the boss!



Not for: Those looking for a bootcamp or spa-type experience. These weekends will give you a taster of lots of different exercises and techniques and will give you time to reflect and think.



££: Day retreats start at £115 while overnight is from £225. If you book in early you can make the most of reduced rates but for the knowledge, quality of food and luxe accommodation alone, I think it’s great value for money. Throw in the invaluable ‘me time’, it’s a total steal. 



<a href="https://woottonparkwellness.co.uk">Wootton Park</a>, Wootton Wawen, Henley in Arden, B95 6HJ. Tel: 01564 793151

Review: Wootton Park Wellness, Four Elements Retreat

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